Archive | Bible, books & quotes

Welcome Autumn . . .{with Ree Drummond & Brad Paisley}

September 21, 2013

Autumn!

When a season ends another begins and as always I want it to last a little longer. But it wasn’t until I began compiling pictures for this post that I realized how ready I have been for the change in season. I’ve thought about soups, FOOTBALL, pumpkins, squash recipes, blankets, candles, and often times gravitated to orange things without much thought as to why {i.e pics above and below}. The night before the above picture was taken, a big rain storm came through overnight and took down my beautiful large marigold plant. Not wanting to leave the broken stems scattered on the ground, I gathered them up and arranged the cut flowers into a large white bowl to be enjoyed for awhile longer. {thinking of autumn?!!}

{pumpkins: Cinderella-bottom, Musquee de Provence-center, jack o lantern-top}

Wanting to welcome autumn, but keeping it simple and a little rustic by stacking a variety of pumpkins in a pot to greet visitors at the front door. The green leaves on this freshly made wreath will slowly change to brown through the season.

The weather was gray and cloudy with rain on and off while vacationing with Bill and the kids. Each vacation day was full of busy activities outside. But when it was quiet time in the house, the kids got out their phones, iPad, watched a movie or played on the Xbox and checked out for awhile. My quiet time was spent next to the gas fireplace on an ex-large and ex-comfortable sofa where I read, had coffee, listened to music and moistened my extremely dry lips. Complete contentment …..until one of the kids yelled from upstairs for me to turn off the gas fire because they were roasting. .

Autumn Cottage Magazine

Anyway, here are some favorite pictures from the Autumn Cottage magazine to awaken the autumn spirit in you.

Autumn picnic.

Decorating the house/table in the colors orange, yellow, brown and red.

Simple packaging ideas using twine, jars and brown paper bags.

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, A Love Story

The thought of bringing a book and having time to sit and read it on vacation NEVER occurred to me because my time was often filled with entertaining the kids, feeding them and doing laundry {kinda like being back at home}. This vacation was a turning point, they are older and didn’t need my help as much, “What am I to do with my time… me time?”. The house we stayed at had a small selection of books to read and the one that got my attention was {the orange book}, “The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels-A Love Story”. I know who Ree Drummond is from having enjoyed making regular visites to her website, The Pioneer Woman. I wanted something light-hearted and maybe funny too and this was perfect. In the story, Ree took us into her first encounter then the “juicy” details of dating Marlboro Man as she often referred to Ladd Drummond and finished off the second half of the book chronicling their first year experiences of marriage and living out in the country. A beautiful love story with twists and turns, unexpected events and sometimes funny would grab my attention and take my mind off to a different place and time. Other times her emotions would spark memories of young love and how it felt when Bill and I were dating {20+ years ago}. It was a joy to read this book.

For more information and excerpts from the book, click on the links below:

The first time Ree cooked for Marboro Man. He later revealed to her and said,
“I really hated it. But I really liked you.” {continue Here…}
Why Ree Drummond wrote “Black Heels to Tractor Wheels” {continue Here…}
Ree mentioned Marbora Man’s house often in the book, see pictures
{Then: continue Here…} {Now:continue Here…}
Read a few chapters from the book or purchase it {continue Here… }

This Is Country Music, by Brad Paisley

To make my ‘quiet time’ a little sweeter, Brad Paisley’s songs were playing in the background. Here are two songs from the CD I was listening to {music videos: This Is Country Music & Remind Me}.

Samples of other songs from Brad Paisley’s CD, “This is Country Music” {Here}.

Have a wonderful start to your autumn season!

images/sources: The Pioneer Woman, HarperCollins Publishers ⎜ Brad Paisley

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posted by: Kay

6 comments

4th of July, Happy Birthday America!

July 4, 2013

July 4th is the day to celebrate and reflect on the birth of our nation.

The founding Fathers wanted this nation to be independent and separate from Great Britain. The decision by 56 of the 58 members of the Second Continental Congress to sign the Declaration of Independence was not without struggles, challenges and risk of death. Some names are easier to recognize than others but all were needed to give relevance and significance to this document and show unity. Some signatures have been colored by me to identify individuals mentioned below.

The names and faces behind these signatures.

John Adams, 1735-1826

John Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, the 2nd President of the United States, Judge and Diplomat. “It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue.“

Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790

Benjamin Franklin, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, diplomat, printer, scientist and Governor of Pennsylvania. A quote from Benjamin Franklin on Christianity, “Whosoever shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world.“

John Hart, 1711-1779

John Hart, signer of the Declartion of Independence, Judge and Lesgislator. He was one of the men who became a target of the British and was forced to flee from home and family. His house, mill and crops destroyed. After the long hardship of being on the run for over a year his health deteriorated and he never fully recovered. { continue …}

Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826

Thomas Jefferson, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, 3rd President of the United States, Secretary of State, Diplomat and Governor of Virginia. Thomas Jefferson’s well know phrase, ‘Separation of Church and State‘ was taken from letters written to the Baptist Association of Danbury, Connecticut . It was not written in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution as many people have assumed.

Thomas McKean, 1734-1817

Thomas McKean, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, President of Congress Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Governor of Pennsylvania and Governor of Delaware. The following is an excerpt of a Proclamation for a Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer issued by Thomas McKean, November 19, 1781:
“It is therefore recommended to the several states to set apart the THIRTEENTH day of DECEMBER next, to be religiously observed as a day of THANKSGIVING and PRAYER; that all the people may assemble on that day with grateful hearts to celebrate the praises of our glorious Benefactor, to confess our manifold sins, to offer up our most fervent supplications to the God of all grace that it may please Him to pardon our offense, and incline our hearts for the future, to keep all His laws, to comfort and relieve all our brethren who are in distress or captivity, to prosper our husbandmen, and give strength to all engaged in lawful commerce; to impart wisdom and integrity to our counselors, judgment and fortitude to our officers and soldiers; to protect and prosper our illustrious ally and favor our united exertions for the speedy establishment of a safe, honorable, and lasting peace, to bless our seminaries of learning, and cause the knowledge of God to cover the earth as the waters cover the seas.” {continue …}

Benjamin Rush, 1746-1813

Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution, Treasurer of the U.S Mint and the ‘Father’ of public schools and American medicine. Quotes from Benjamin Rush regarding the Constitution,
“I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament.”
and the Bible,
“The Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent period of life… [T]he Bible… should be read in our schools in preference to all other books because it contains the greatest portion of that kind of knowledge which is calculated to produce private and public happiness.“

Oliver Wolcott, Sr. 1726-1797

Oliver Wolcott, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, military General, and the Governor of Connecticut. In a letter Oliver Wolcott stated, “It is most evident that this land is under the protection of the Almighty, and that we shall be saved not by our wisdom nor by our might, but by the Lord of Host Who is wonderful in counsel and Almighty in all His operations.“

Summer History Movie for the Family

The HBO 2008 mini series, John Adams is one of our family favorite history series to watch. I can’t say that our kids were excited to sit and watch history, but by the time part 1 ended, their interests heighten and were eger to continue to part 2. There were a few small parts that we decided to skip for the kids, but overall they watched everything else. Bringing history of our nation to the next generation will help them to understand, appreciate and celebrate this day with pride and joy.

We hope you and your family have a wonderful 4th of July celebration!

Thank you God for this great nation.

images/sources: Declaration of Independence signatures ⎜ History.com ⎜ John Adams: Wikipedia, Wall Builders ⎜ Benjamin Franklin: Wikipedia, Wall Builders ⎜ John Hart: Wall Builders ⎜ Thomas Jefferson: Wall Builders, Wikipedia ⎜ Thomas McKean: Wikipedia, Wall Builders ⎜ Benjamin Rush: Wikipedia, Wall Builders ⎜ Oliver Wolcott: Find a Grave, Wall Builders, US history

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posted by: Bill & Kay

1 comments

Margaret Thatcher

April 20, 2013

Margaret Hilda Thatcher was born on October 13, 1925 in Grantham, England. She died on April 8, 2013 at the age of 87. “It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this morning,” a statement from her spokesman, Lord Tim Bell, said.

Former Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher

Baroness Margaret Thatcher was the first and only woman to serve as the British Prime Minister. She held her office from 1979 to 1990, longer than anyone else in the 20th century. She led Britain to significant growth and back on the world stage at the time when the top tax rate on earned income was over 80% and inflation was over 20%. She was an inspiration for many women around the world and still is. She will be remembered as a woman with strong core values and was prepared to make bold decisions. In 1976, the nickname “The Iron Lady” was given to her by the Soviet army newspaper “Red Star”. To this day, the nick name is synonymous with Margret Thatcher.

She will be missed.

{Margaret Thatcher in 1950, at Buckingham Palace garden party as a Conservative candidate for Dartford}

“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” M.T.

{Britain’s first woman Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher at 10 Downing Street with her husband Denis, 1979}

“I came to office with one deliberate intent: to change Britain from a dependent to a self-reliant society – from a give-it-to-me, to a do-it-yourself nation. A get-up-and-go, instead of a sit-back-and-wait-for-it Britain.” M.T.

{Margaret Thatcher at Conservative party conference, 1982}

“I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means they have not a single political argument left.” M.T.

{Margaret Thatcher with President Ronald Reagan, 1988}

{Margaret Thatcher with President Ronald Reagan at the White House in Washington, DC, 1988}

“People think that at the top there isn’t much room. They tend to think of it as an Everest. My message is that there is tons of room at the top.” M.T

{MT in front of a bronze statue of herself, inside the Palance of Westminister, London in 2007}

{Margaret Thatcher in front of a bronze statue of herself, inside the Palance of Westminister, London in 2007}

“This lady is not for turning” M.T.

{Margaret Thatcher’s last House of Commons Speech on November 22, 1990} .

Margaret Thatcher’s legacy will live on. Soon to be released is her biography, titled “Margaret Thatcher: The Authorized Biography, Volume One: Not For Turning” written by Charles Moore and published by Allen Lane.

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Sources/images: Wikimedia, Photo 1 by Margaret Thatcher Foundation ⎪ Vogue, Photo 2 by PA Photos ⎪ The Guardian, photo 3 by Tim Graham/Corbis ⎪ The Guardian, hoto 4 by Nils Jorgensen/Rex Features ⎪ Daily Mail, photo 5 by Getty images & photo 6 by PA ⎪ You Tube Margaret Thatcher ⎪

Sources/quotes: ⎪ “I came to office…” Speech to Small Business Bureau Conference, 2/8/1984 ⎪ “I always cheer up…” TV interview for Italian television (RAI) ⎪ “This lady is not turning” Speech to Conservative Party Conference & Youtube ⎪

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posted by: Bill & Kay 3

3 comments

Easter, It is finished

March 30, 2013

{free printable, click here }

Jesus said, “It is finished.” and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.(John 19:30) Jesus fulfilled ALL the work and will of the Father (salvation, our sins are forgiven, redemption, sacrifice, “paid in full”). He was buried in a tomb. Three days after his death on the cross, the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He Said.” (Matthew 28:5-6) Jesus is alive. He gave his everything so that we will be with him forever.

Have a wonderful Easter celebration everyone!

Sources & image: “He gave His everything”, That’s Why We Praise Him song by Tommy Walker // crown, The Graphics Fairy

{printable ~ for personal use only}

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posted by: Kay 2

2 comments

Easter egg gift tags & cards

March 16, 2013

I have admired vintage egg prints for years and collected a few for my home. Eggs are simple yet there is such a variety in colors and sizes out in nature. These egg and botanical images used to create tags and cards came from the Vintage Printable website. Go and check the website out, they have a wonderful collection of free images to copy or download.

Make sure to reinforce the punched out holes to prevent from ripping. I applied basic office supply white rectangle sticker tabs over the area before punching out the hole. Here are a few places to find hole reinforcements {Amazon} {Etsy}.